What the Riff Next Gen

FEATURE: Queen - Innuendo from FEBRUARY 1991
Freddy Mercury - the iconic lead vocalist for Queen - was nearing the end of his battle with AIDS as the band was putting together their 14th album. This would be the last album of all-new material with Freddy Mercury, as he would die in November of that year.
This is a great album, and a poignant one, as Mercury's health was deteriorating. Join us as we explore this album and other great songs from February of 1991.
The Show Must Go On
Written primarily by Brian May, this song is about Freddy Mercury's effort to perform despite his serious illness which would take his life 10 months after the Innuendo album was released. While putting it together, May didn't know if Mercury would be capable of singing the song because he was so sick. When May talked to Mercury about it just before the recording, Mercury said, "I'll F***'n do it, darling," downed a shot of vodka, and rocked the vocals.
Innuendo
This is more of an epic than a song. It is the longest Queen song ever released as a single - longer than Bohemian Rhapsody by 35 seconds. It hearkens back to Queen's prog rock roots. The flamenco solo is played by Steve Howe of Yes. Howe is the only non-Queen member to have played guitar on a studio recording of a Queen song.
These Are the Days of Our Lives
This song was released as a single in the US on Freddy Mercury's 45th birthday, September 5th. The video was recorded at the end of May 1991, and was the last to feature Mercury. It was shot in black and white to obscure Mercury's poor health to some extent.
Headlong
This song was written by Brian May, and was originally intended for his upcoming solo album "back to the Light." When he heard Mercury sing the track it became a Queen song. The video was shot in 1990, about a year before Freddy Mercury's death, and is the last color video they shot. This is a solid, hard-charging rock song.
STAFF PICKS:
Pennywise - Bro Hymn
Wayne's staff pick is a punk masterpiece. Hailing from Hermosa Beach, California, Pennywise takes its name from the evil clown in Steven King's IT. You'll frequently hear the main theme at sports venues around the country.
High Enough - Damn Yankees
Brain's staff pick is from the supergroup formed by Jack Blades, Michael Cartellone, Ted Nugent, and Tommy Shaw. Polished and soaring with Shaw's high notes and harmonies, this was a rock song in frequent rotation at the time.
Disappear - INXS
Rob's staff pick is of INXS's album "X" which was released in 1990. This hit went to number 8 on the charts in February 1991. INXS was a popular rock group who had their first US big hit in 1983 with "One Thing."
Signs (live) - Tesla
Bruce's staff pick highlights the "unplugged" movement of the late 80's and early 90's. Tesla covers a song from 1971 by the Canadian group Five Man Electrical Band, and puts it on their live album "Five Man Acoustical Jam."
LAUGH TRACK:
White, White Baby - Jim Carrey (In Living Color)
We close out this show with Jim Carrey's spoof on Vanilla Ice's hit. You can see it on youtube.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

FEATURE: The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot from JUNE 1977
Isaac Asimov's science fiction was the inspiration for The Alan Parsons Project's second album, and I Robot draws on concepts of artificial intelligence in its songs. The Alan Parsons Project is a progressive rock group led by Parsons and Eric Woolfson at the core and surrounding themselves with session musicians. Alan Parsons had extensive credibility in the industry as Assistant Engineer for The Beatles "Abby Road" and "Let It Be," and had served as Engineer for Pink Floyd's monster album "The Dark Side of the Moon." Parsons and Woodson would go on to put out many albums and hits as The Alan Parsons Project.
Genesis Ch. 1 V.32
This is the last track on the album. Alan Parsons has a symphonic quality, and often features instrumental music such as this track. The book of Genesis in the Bible only contains 31 verses in chapter 1, and this title is an allusion to the fall of man and the rise of the machine. This is spelled out on the album where it says, "I Robot, the story of the rise of the machine and the decline of man, which paradoxically coincided with his discovery of the wheel, and a warning that his brief dominance of this planet will probably end because man tried to create robot in his own image."
Total Eclipse
Another essentially instrumental song with an ethereal, almost movie soundtrack quality.
I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You
This track was one of the popular singles from this album, and has made it onto Grand Theft Auto V, and the TV series Mind Hunter. The back beat is a distinctive sign that this album was released during the height of the disco era. Check out the abrupt ending.
Breakdown
The lead singer reminds our group of Lindsey Buckingham. Alan Parsons used a number of session musicians, and this provides a lot of variety in the sound.
MOVIE OR SHOW TUNE:
Star Wars Main Theme
Here's one we all know well. Folks were lining up for the movie Star Wars, and John Williams hit a home run with this instrumental masterpiece.
STAFF PICKS:
Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel
This was the first hit off Gabriel's first solo album. While this song is about his leaving Genesis, but Gabriel succeeds in keeping the song positive rather than feeling like he had an axe to grind. Written in 7/4 time.
Rocky's Hot Club - Peter Frampton
This song was inspired by Frampton's dog. Stevie Wonder plays harmonica on this entertaining track. Peter Frampton had done well with "Frampton Comes Alive," and considered himself to have rushed his next album.
Smoke From a Distant Fire - Sanford-Townsend Band
This one-hit wonder reached number 9 on the Billboard chart. These songwriters for Loggins and Messina had written this song a decade before it was released.
Telephone Line - Electric Light Orchestra
Jeff Lynne's ELO was a technological and symphonic delight. ELO's concerts entertained both in their orchestration and in the lighting and special effects they brought to bear.
LAUGH TRACK
Ain't Gonna Bump No More — Joe Tex
This novelty song gives sage (but politically incorrect) advice on who to avoid on the disco floor!
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.